Steel Minister Birender Singh wants MOIL to make key contribution in Make in India

Bullish on future prospects for the electric vehicles in the country, Steel Minster Birender Singh today asked state-owned MOIL to make significant contribution to the Centre's 'Make in India' programme by developing technology to meet manganese requirement for batteries to be used in electric vehicles.PTI | October 13, 2017, 21:56 IST

"MOIL must make significant contribution to Make in India by developing technology to meet manganese requirement of batteries to be used in Electric Vehicles etc," Singh was quoted as saying.NEW DELHI: Bullish on future prospects for the electric vehicles in the country, Steel Minster Birender Singh today asked state-owned MOIL to make significant contribution to the Centre's 'Make in India' programme by developing technology to meet manganese requirement for batteries to be used in electric vehicles.

In view of growing future prospects for the electric vehicles in the country, the minister said the PSU needs to take measures to remain a leader in the market.

Chairing the mid-year review meeting of MOIL, the minister also asked the PSU to plan for building capacities in tungsten mining and production for strengthening manufacturing capabilities for defence production in India, the Ministry of Steel said in a statement.

"MOIL must make significant contribution to Make in India by developing technology to meet manganese requirement of batteries to be used in Electric Vehicles etc," Singh was quoted as saying.

He further said, the miner should strategically plan for forward integration to leverage its leadership position of manganese ore production in India. The company can also think of acquiring or taking majority stake in ferro-alloy production facilities, in addition to expansion efforts.

There is huge potential for e-rickshaws, e-tempos and e- cars in India, he told the PSU and said MOIL must be prepared for harnessing. In fact, the company should innovate to find new uses of manganese ore, apart from steel making, dry cell batteries and paints, he added.

Further, he advised MOIL that R&D efforts should aim for development of new technologies rather than updating or buying technologies from others and there is a need to work on utilising every grade of ore gainfully including the lowest quality ore.

The minister assured that his ministry will support every R&D initiative aimed at self-sufficiency and indigenisation. Mineral exploration activities need to be speeded up for strengthening the resource base in India.

MOIL can also examine the feasibility of using alternate modes of ore transportation, which could be environment friendly and cost effective. For closure of mines, sand requirement can be met by innovative means like collaboration with local farmers, he said.

In view of increase in requirement for manganese for steel production capacities up to 300 million tonnes and insufficient availability of the ore in India, MOIL must also explore the possibility of acquiring or taking stake in manganese ore assets abroad, the minister said.

Steel Secretary Aruna Sharma, senior officials from the Ministry of Steel and top management of MOIL were among those who attended the meeting.

In fact, segment leaders like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hero MotoCorp have reported de-growth of 34.3 per cent, 45 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively giving a clear indication of a prolonged slowdown in the sector.